Storing experimental data in distributed network applications: Common problems and general guidelines

While conducting experiments in the remote laboratories users gather data for further analysis. There are a few administrative and usability issues involved including authenticity of acquired data. This paper addresses the problems connected with the laboratory work reports provided by students. Possible places for experimental data storage are listed; pros and cons of each of them are discussed. Usability issues from the student standpoint are analyzed. Potential administrative and legal implications are shown. This article proposes a set of possible solutions and guidelines that could solve mentioned above difficulties. Example of a partial realization of a subset from these solutions is described.